Question
Hi!

I'm growing Lion's Tail (Leonitus Leonorus) from seed, starting it indoors under compact florescent lights. The plants are approximately 1 month old and seem fairly healthy. However recently I've noticed what seems to be a dark orange fungus growing on the soil amongst another more common looking white mildew (salt buildup?),mainly on pieces of wood mixed in the soil.
I took some pics but since I'm not sure how to attach them with this I just posted them on my personal webspace. here's the link:

http://www.geocities.com/[email protected]/Otherevents.html

Could you help me identify what's growing on the soil and if I should be concerned? Also can you tell if the plant seems to be otherwise healthy/normal? Any help or insight would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!
Mike

Answer
Great shots, Mike.  How could I not answer a question with its own illustrations.  It would be hard to do without a picture, but you know that old gardener's saying about what one picture's worth...

First, a lesson on Fungi from the U.S. Dept of Agriculture's online Soil Biology Primer:

http://soils.usda.gov/sqi/concepts/soil_biology/fungi.html

Although we are taught they are pests and sometimes deadly, not to mention unsightly, Fungi have a key place in the Nitrogen Cycle and are not something to be afraid of. The fact that you have this stuff growing on your soil indicates to me that there is nothing invisible that is bad.  No manmade liquids or powders designed to 'purify' your soil.  That is, as someone once said, A Good Thing, Mike.

Sure, some Fungi are deadly.  As that abovementioned website will describe.  And some we need.  Note the placement of these Fungi on decomposing wood.  That's what they're doing there.  Decomposing.

The white powder could be other Fungi, or it could be salt buildups, yes.  Most people would get out the Weapons of Mass Destruction.  Of course we know already you are a cut above because you are growing a tough plant from seed.  Maybe they think you're nuts.   What do they know.

One consideration and I quote from the U.S. Government website: "Fungi are able to use Nitrogen up from the soil, allowing them to decompose surface residue which is often low in Nitrogen."  Watch the Nitrogen.  This soil will have less than usual.

That's my opinion.  I can't i.d. the Fungus w/o a microscope and sample, unfortunately.  But if you bring it to your local Coop Extension, I expect they will be able to tell you what it is.  On the other details, I am sure of them.

Thanks for writing, please keep me posted.